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Severe Storms Cause Power Outages Across Louisiana

Severe storms causing heavy rainfall and thunderclouds over Louisiana

News Summary

Severe thunderstorms hit Shreveport and surrounding areas on January 30, leaving thousands without power. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings as heavy rainfall is expected. Many regions are experiencing significant outages, with Caddo Parish being the hardest hit. The weather is predicted to improve by the weekend, offering some hope for residents dealing with the storm’s aftermath.

Severe Storms Rock Louisiana and Surrounding Areas, Thousands Left in the Dark

Residents of Shreveport and nearby regions are bracing themselves as severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall sweep through the Southern U.S. on this Thursday, January 30. The National Weather Service has issued warnings with predictions that this storm system will bring excessive rain and possible tornado activity right across Louisiana. Buckle up, folks!

What to Expect

Strong winds and the risk of flooding have raised alarm bells particularly in Louisiana, where a Flood Watch is currently in effect for the northern portion of the ArkLaTex area. Rainfall amounts could escalate to a staggering two to three inches in the regions under the watch, while other areas may see less than an inch. Shreveport is gearing up for a wet Thursday, with a whopping 100% chance of rain featuring afternoon thunderstorms.

Temperatures today are expected to hover in the warm 70s before dipping down to the upper 40s tonight. While you might be tempted to enjoy the spring-like warmth, the weather is turning wild, and it’s crucial to stay updated on conditions.

Power Outages Across the Region

The severe storms have already caused significant power outages, impacting thousands of residents. Reports from SWEPCO show that multiple areas are without electricity. Let’s break down the numbers:

Harrison County: Approximately 400 customers are currently powerless.
Bowie County: This area is seeing around 1,000 customers left in the dark, with no time frame yet offered for restoration.
Cass County: Nearly 600 customers are also without power, waiting for some news on when it might come back on.
Gregg County: The situation is more severe here, with almost 2,300 customers affected and still no estimated time for restoration.
Rusk County: This region has 367 customers without power.
Miller County: Only 32 customers are currently without electricity.
Panola County: 10 customers face outages as well.
Caddo Parish: It’s the hardest hit with nearly 5,000 customers waiting for power restoration.
Bossier Parish: Just over 200 customers are also encountering outages.
De Soto Parish: 39 residents without power.
Red River Parish: 313 customers are left in the storm’s wake.
Sabine Parish: Almost 3,000 customers struggling with power loss.
Natchitoches Parish: 1,487 customers are experiencing similar woes.
Webster Parish: 112 customers waiting for relief.

In a particular twist of events, the City of Minden is set to conduct a temporary city-wide power outage from 2:00 p.m. due to a tree limb damaging a power line. Residents can expect this outage to last about an hour.

A Glimmer of Hope Ahead

While the stormy weather grips parts of the South, there is a silver lining on the horizon. Following the tumultuous storms today, there’s a chance of lingering rain showers into Friday, but sunny skies are predicted for the weekend! Temperatures are set to remain in the comfortable upper 60s to lower 70s, making for pleasant conditions as we move into next week.

As always, stay safe and keep an eye on the weather updates! It’s best to be prepared, especially when nature shows its unpredictable side. Let’s hope everyone affected by today’s storms gets their power back soon and that brighter skies are just around the corner!